Drexel University is now known for its excellence in academia as well it its vastly expanding Co-op Program. However, it started with a very different purpose in mind. Anthony J. Drexel founded Drexel University in order to educate lower class individuals living in Philadelphia. From his beginnings as an artist, to his success as a financer, Anthony had enough life experience to understand that although he had not received a formal education himself, he could significantly aid struggling Philadelphians by giving them this opportunity. The article will explore how Anthony Drexel assisted in the expansion of professionalization in Philadelphia with the creation of his own University. While most colleges at the time were targeting men of the working class and lower middle class, Anthony J. Drexel gave Philadelphians an option that had never been available before by providing a ladder into the middle class for anyone of any race or gender with the will and dedication to climb that ladder.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Previous Attempts to service non-wealthy elements of Philadelphia Society 3. German Tech Schools That Served as a Model for Drexel University
4. Background on A.J Drexel and his Motivation to Start Drexel University
5. Anthony Attempts to Reach Out to the Non-wealthy Population and Educate Them
6. Bringing Trades into a University Environment
7. The Success and Expansion of Drexel University 8. Conclusion 9. Bibliography
Introduction
If you were to ask yourself the question, “For what purpose was Drexel University founded?” At first the answer might appear to be simple, however, Drexel’s mission was more than just to educate young Philadelphians in the mid 19th century. Anthony believed that the wealth and gender discriminations that existed in most institutions were not servicing society properly. Thus, he made it his mission to bring technical knowledge to any members of society who wished to learn it. In this effort, he essentially changed the industry by assisting in the expansion of the methods of technical thinking into all aspects of life in Philadelphia.
Previous Attempts to service non-wealthy elements of Philadelphia Society
Previous attempts to service non-wealthy elements of Philadelphia Society were limited because they separated education based on race or gender. In the Mid-Nineteenth century a broad range of institutions offered young children in Philadelphia training in technological knowledge suited to their gender, their ethnic background, and their expected economic position.“Philadelphia's public school system was by mid-century capped by a "people's college," Central High School, open by competitive examination to high-scoring grammar school boys. It also included a Girls' Normal School training future schoolteachers”(lermen). Philadelphia educators in the Mid-Nineteenth century provided technical education based on the social boundaries as they saw them. Boys and Girls were taught differently based on what knowledge the educators expected they would need to perform their roles in industrializing society. “Throughout the 19th century, gender was perhaps the most easily identifiable determinant of the technical education a child would receive (Lermen)”.Anthony could see that women were not being given the proper education to succeed in the technical world. Due to these observations, his original plan for Drexel University was to focus on technical education for women.
German Tech Schools That Served as a Model for Drexel University
Technical schools existed in Europe in the early 19th century and served as a model for the technical schools in Philadelphia in the mid 19th century. The Brno University of Technology was founded in 1849 in the Czech Republic. It is one of the oldest technical schools in the Czech Republic and offered courses in both Civil and Mechanical Engineering. The Technical University of Berlin was founded in 1879 with nearly 30,000 students. It was one of the largest universities in Germany at the time. The creation of the institutions can be attributed to the rise of professionalization in Germany. “According to Hans-Jurgen Dahiem, a disciple of Parsons and the author of an influential study on occupations in modern society, professionalization refers to the gradual penetration into all spheres of life of the techniques and methods of rational scientific knowledge (Gispen 554).” Anthony Drexel aided in bringing professionalization to Philadelphia by bringing scientific knowledge into parts of society, i.e. the non-wealthy class and female population, which had not been exposed to these methods.
Background on A.J Drexel and his Motivation to Start Drexel University
Anthony Joseph Drexel was born in 1826 in Philadelphia, PA. Anthony went to work at a banking firm at age 13 with his father Francis Martin Drexel. For many years Anthony lived and worked as a fairly successful artist. In 1871 he entered in a partnership with J. Pierpont Morgan and created the Firm Drexel, Morgan & Co. Throughout his life, Anthony was a major contributor to many charities, but refused to make his donations public or to allow a building to be named in his honor. He both supported and encouraged his nieces Philanthropic efforts. In a letter to his nieces he wrote “I know you are not sectarian where the interests of humans are concerned, but are always willing to take the Christian view of it and distribute your alms of irrespective creed. This is what I have always done, and I am glad to have you do the same.” One of these nieces was Saint Katharine Drexel, who left behind a life of wealth to create her own order for the benefit of Indians and African Americans. In 1862 Anthony received a letter from Matthew Vassar, asking him to aid in starting a school for women. Vassar stated that his goal would be to educate “the mothers of coming generations” in a college “which shall be to them what Yale and Harvard are to young men.” Although Anthony shared a similar vision he replied, “I prefer to by my own executor and see my money faithfully and judiciously expended under [my] own eye.” Anthony continued to pursue his plan to create his own college.He took great pride in the proposition of this institute and proclaimed in the local paper the “ledger” that it would be the first to bear his name. Following in the ideals of his niece Kate, Drexel abandoned the idea of a girl’s school and decided to create an institute that placed no restrictions on religion, race, gender, or social class.
Anthony Attempts to Reach Out to the Non-wealthy Population and Educate Them
Anthony’s plan was to reach out to people who had not previously been provided an opportunity at a technical education in Philadelphia. Anthony had once envisioned the Drexel to be located in a suburban location, however he realized that in order to reach his target audience, working class men and women, it would have to be located in the city where it would be easily accessible. Anthony did not have a formal education himself, so in order to create a proper university; he enlisted help from his various friends and contacts. A major supporter of A.J was his brother in law George Childs. Childs wrote an article in his paper the “ledger” to “correct erroneous impression about the Drexel Industrial Institute” and provide “a review of the circumstances which have modified and enlarged that purpose.” An article from an 1891 issue of “The Bucks County Gazette” states that “Mr. George W. Childs has given his collection of rare prints, manuscripts, autographs, and literary relics valued at $100,000, to the library of the Drexel Institute.” Anthony’s idea was revolutionary. By putting the University in a place where it was accessible by public transportation and not placing racial restrictions on admission, he had opened a new world of opportunities to Philadelphians looking for education at the time.
Bringing Trades into a University Environment
Anthony understood the benefits of bringing trades into a University environment. The intention of technical education is to prepare children for their roles as adults. Before the introduction of a university, engineering and technical knowledge was considered to be a skill. However, universities changed the perception of these “skills” because people were able to see that in order to perform these skills, a person needs “technical knowledge” in order to perform certain tasks. This type of change in perception benefitted females working in the engineering industry. Women were given the opportunity to break out of the stereotype of working as seamstresses and housewives and move into an industry which had been previously dominated by men only.
The Success and Expansion of Drexel University
Drexel University was founded in 1891 as the Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry. Drexel became the Drexel Institute of Technology in 1936, and in 1970 Drexel Institute of Technology gained university status, becoming Drexel University. On July 1, 2002, Drexel was officially united with the former MCP Hahnemann University, creating the Drexel University College of Medicine; and in the fall of 2006, Drexel established its School of Law. The Drexel Co-op Program in which students get a chance to do an internship as part of their curriculum has contributed greatly to its’ success as a University. Drexel has been consistently ranked among "Best National Universities-Top Schools" by U.S. News & World Report in its annual "America's Best Colleges"
Conclusion
Anthony Joseph Drexel led a very successful life as a banker and artist. He often contributed widely to charities and supported Christian ideologies. But perhaps his most crowning achievement was the founding of Drexel University. It was the only establishment to ever bear his name and, in his opinion, well worth spending his fortune on. He changed the face of Society in Philadelphia by expanding industry and technical knowledge to an entirely new audience. Drexel University broke down the barriers of race and gender discrimination and opened doors for many individuals who were previously limited in their educational offerings.
Bibliography
Primary:
"Local Intelligence." The Bucks County Gazette [Bristol] 31 Dec. 1891.
Childs, George W. The Ledger [Philadelphia] 1889.
Drexel, Anthony J. Letter to Elizabeth, Louise, and Katharine Drexel. 1886. Boxes of unsorted letters and family memorabilia. Hagerty Library, Drexel University, Philadelphia PA
Vassar, Matthew Letter to Anthony J. Drexel. 1862. Boxes of unsorted letters and family memorabilia. Hagerty Library, Drexel University, Philadelphia PA
"Brno University of Technology Czech Republic." Contract publishers of international reference books and magazines - Sovereign Publications. 11 May 2009 <http://www.sovereign-publications.com/vutbr.htm>.
Creese, James. A.J. Drexel and His Industrial University. New York: Newcomen Society of England, 1949.
Gispin, C. W. R. "German Engineers and American Social Theory: Historical Perspectives on Professionalization." Comparative Studies in Society and History. 30 (1988): 550-74.
McDonald, Edward, and Edward M. Hinton. Drexel Institute of Technology, 1891-1941. Philadelphia: Drexel Institute, 1942.
Papadakis, Constantine. “A University with a Difference: The Unique Vision of Anthony J. Drexel.” Address delivered to the Newcomen Society of the United States, Philadelphia, Pa., December 6, 2001
Rottenberg, Dan. The Man Who Made Wall Street: Anthony J. Drexel and the Rise of Modern Finance. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania, 2006.
Nina E Lerman. Technology and Culture. Chicago: Jan 1997. Vol. 38, Iss. 1; pg. 31, 29 pgs
Drexel University is now known for its excellence in academia as well it its vastly expanding Co-op Program. However, it started with a very different purpose in mind. Anthony J. Drexel founded Drexel University in order to educate lower class individuals living in Philadelphia. From his beginnings as an artist, to his success as a financer, Anthony had enough life experience to understand that although he had not received a formal education himself, he could significantly aid struggling Philadelphians by giving them this opportunity. The article will explore how Anthony Drexel assisted in the expansion of professionalization in Philadelphia with the creation of his own University. While most colleges at the time were targeting men of the working class and lower middle class, Anthony J. Drexel gave Philadelphians an option that had never been available before by providing a ladder into the middle class for anyone of any race or gender with the will and dedication to climb that ladder.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Previous Attempts to service non-wealthy elements of Philadelphia Society
3. German Tech Schools That Served as a Model for Drexel University
4. Background on A.J Drexel and his Motivation to Start Drexel University
5. Anthony Attempts to Reach Out to the Non-wealthy Population and Educate Them
6. Bringing Trades into a University Environment
7. The Success and Expansion of Drexel University
8. Conclusion
9. Bibliography
Introduction
If you were to ask yourself the question, “For what purpose was Drexel University founded?” At first the answer might appear to be simple, however, Drexel’s mission was more than just to educate young Philadelphians in the mid 19th century. Anthony believed that the wealth and gender discriminations that existed in most institutions were not servicing society properly. Thus, he made it his mission to bring technical knowledge to any members of society who wished to learn it. In this effort, he essentially changed the industry by assisting in the expansion of the methods of technical thinking into all aspects of life in Philadelphia.
Previous Attempts to service non-wealthy elements of Philadelphia Society
Previous attempts to service non-wealthy elements of Philadelphia Society were limited because they separated education based on race or gender. In the Mid-Nineteenth century a broad range of institutions offered young children in Philadelphia training in technological knowledge suited to their gender, their ethnic background, and their expected economic position. “Philadelphia's public school system was by mid-century capped by a "people's college," Central High School, open by competitive examination to high-scoring grammar school boys. It also included a Girls' Normal School training future schoolteachers”(lermen). Philadelphia educators in the Mid-Nineteenth century provided technical education based on the social boundaries as they saw them. Boys and Girls were taught differently based on what knowledge the educators expected they would need to perform their roles in industrializing society. “Throughout the 19th century, gender was perhaps the most easily identifiable determinant of the technical education a child would receive (Lermen)”. Anthony could see that women were not being given the proper education to succeed in the technical world. Due to these observations, his original plan for Drexel University was to focus on technical education for women.
German Tech Schools That Served as a Model for Drexel University
Technical schools existed in Europe in the early 19th century and served as a model for the technical schools in Philadelphia in the mid 19th century. The Brno University of Technology was founded in 1849 in the Czech Republic. It is one of the oldest technical schools in the Czech Republic and offered courses in both Civil and Mechanical Engineering. The Technical University of Berlin was founded in 1879 with nearly 30,000 students. It was one of the largest universities in Germany at the time. The creation of the institutions can be attributed to the rise of professionalization in Germany. “According to Hans-Jurgen Dahiem, a disciple of Parsons and the author of an influential study on occupations in modern society, professionalization refers to the gradual penetration into all spheres of life of the techniques and methods of rational scientific knowledge (Gispen 554).” Anthony Drexel aided in bringing professionalization to Philadelphia by bringing scientific knowledge into parts of society, i.e. the non-wealthy class and female population, which had not been exposed to these methods.
Background on A.J Drexel and his Motivation to Start Drexel University
Anthony Joseph Drexel was born in 1826 in Philadelphia, PA. Anthony went to work at a banking firm at age 13 with his father Francis Martin Drexel. For many years Anthony lived and worked as a fairly successful artist. In 1871 he entered in a partnership with J. Pierpont Morgan and created the Firm Drexel, Morgan & Co. Throughout his life, Anthony was a major contributor to many charities, but refused to make his donations public or to allow a building to be named in his honor. He both supported and encouraged his nieces Philanthropic efforts. In a letter to his nieces he wrote “I know you are not sectarian where the interests of humans are concerned, but are always willing to take the Christian view of it and distribute your alms of irrespective creed. This is what I have always done, and I am glad to have you do the same.” One of these nieces was Saint Katharine Drexel, who left behind a life of wealth to create her own order for the benefit of Indians and African Americans. In 1862 Anthony received a letter from Matthew Vassar, asking him to aid in starting a school for women. Vassar stated that his goal would be to educate “the mothers of coming generations” in a college “which shall be to them what Yale and Harvard are to young men.” Although Anthony shared a similar vision he replied, “I prefer to by my own executor and see my money faithfully and judiciously expended under [my] own eye.” Anthony continued to pursue his plan to create his own college. He took great pride in the proposition of this institute and proclaimed in the local paper the “ledger” that it would be the first to bear his name. Following in the ideals of his niece Kate, Drexel abandoned the idea of a girl’s school and decided to create an institute that placed no restrictions on religion, race, gender, or social class.
Anthony Attempts to Reach Out to the Non-wealthy Population and Educate Them
Anthony’s plan was to reach out to people who had not previously been provided an opportunity at a technical education in Philadelphia. Anthony had once envisioned the Drexel to be located in a suburban location, however he realized that in order to reach his target audience, working class men and women, it would have to be located in the city where it would be easily accessible. Anthony did not have a formal education himself, so in order to create a proper university; he enlisted help from his various friends and contacts. A major supporter of A.J was his brother in law George Childs. Childs wrote an article in his paper the “ledger” to “correct erroneous impression about the Drexel Industrial Institute” and provide “a review of the circumstances which have modified and enlarged that purpose.” An article from an 1891 issue of “The Bucks County Gazette” states that “Mr. George W. Childs has given his collection of rare prints, manuscripts, autographs, and literary relics valued at $100,000, to the library of the Drexel Institute.” Anthony’s idea was revolutionary. By putting the University in a place where it was accessible by public transportation and not placing racial restrictions on admission, he had opened a new world of opportunities to Philadelphians looking for education at the time.
Bringing Trades into a University Environment
Anthony understood the benefits of bringing trades into a University environment. The intention of technical education is to prepare children for their roles as adults. Before the introduction of a university, engineering and technical knowledge was considered to be a skill. However, universities changed the perception of these “skills” because people were able to see that in order to perform these skills, a person needs “technical knowledge” in order to perform certain tasks. This type of change in perception benefitted females working in the engineering industry. Women were given the opportunity to break out of the stereotype of working as seamstresses and housewives and move into an industry which had been previously dominated by men only.
The Success and Expansion of Drexel University
Drexel University was founded in 1891 as the Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry. Drexel became the Drexel Institute of Technology in 1936, and in 1970 Drexel Institute of Technology gained university status, becoming Drexel University. On July 1, 2002, Drexel was officially united with the former MCP Hahnemann University, creating the Drexel University College of Medicine; and in the fall of 2006, Drexel established its School of Law. The Drexel Co-op Program in which students get a chance to do an internship as part of their curriculum has contributed greatly to its’ success as a University. Drexel has been consistently ranked among "Best National Universities-Top Schools" by U.S. News & World Report in its annual "America's Best Colleges"
Conclusion
Anthony Joseph Drexel led a very successful life as a banker and artist. He often contributed widely to charities and supported Christian ideologies. But perhaps his most crowning achievement was the founding of Drexel University. It was the only establishment to ever bear his name and, in his opinion, well worth spending his fortune on. He changed the face of Society in Philadelphia by expanding industry and technical knowledge to an entirely new audience. Drexel University broke down the barriers of race and gender discrimination and opened doors for many individuals who were previously limited in their educational offerings.
Bibliography
Primary:
"Local Intelligence." The Bucks County Gazette [Bristol] 31 Dec. 1891.
Childs, George W. The Ledger [Philadelphia] 1889.
Drexel, Anthony J. Letter to Elizabeth, Louise, and Katharine Drexel. 1886. Boxes of unsorted letters and family memorabilia. Hagerty Library, Drexel University, Philadelphia PA
Vassar, Matthew Letter to Anthony J. Drexel. 1862. Boxes of unsorted letters and family memorabilia. Hagerty Library, Drexel University, Philadelphia PA
Secondary:
"Anthony Joseph Drexel I -." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 10 May 2009 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Joseph_Drexel_I>.
"Brno University of Technology Czech Republic." Contract publishers of international reference books and magazines - Sovereign Publications. 11 May 2009 <http://www.sovereign-publications.com/vutbr.htm>.
Creese, James. A.J. Drexel and His Industrial University. New York: Newcomen Society of England, 1949.
"Drexel University -." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 11 May 2009 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drexel_University>.
Gispin, C. W. R. "German Engineers and American Social Theory: Historical Perspectives on Professionalization." Comparative Studies in Society and History. 30 (1988): 550-74.
McDonald, Edward, and Edward M. Hinton. Drexel Institute of Technology, 1891-1941. Philadelphia: Drexel Institute, 1942.
Papadakis, Constantine. “A University with a Difference: The Unique Vision of Anthony J. Drexel.” Address delivered to the Newcomen Society of the United States, Philadelphia, Pa., December 6, 2001
Rottenberg, Dan. The Man Who Made Wall Street: Anthony J. Drexel and the Rise of Modern Finance. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania, 2006.
Nina E Lerman. Technology and Culture. Chicago: Jan 1997. Vol. 38, Iss. 1; pg. 31, 29 pgs
"Technical University of Berlin -." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 11 May 2009
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technical_University_of_Berlin>.